Top 10: Register for the region's first women-only Spartan Race, see The Memory of Hope at Gulf Photo Plus, sign up for the Travel Through Our Traditions Tour in Al Ain

Your essential guide to what's happening in the Emirates

Register to take part in the women-only Spartan Race in December.
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Dubai

Fitness event

Register to take part in the region’s first women-only Spartan Race, a 5km event with more than 20 obstacles featuring mud, water, hills, barbed wire and fire. With just 1,000 tickets available, the race is exclusively open to women and is designed to inspire and empower. An interactive race festival will be open for spectators to cheer on competitors.

December 16, from 9am, from US$80 (from Dh294), ages 15+, Jebel Ali Race Course, Al Barsha, Dubai, www.spartanarabia.com

Abu Dhabi

Charity run

Register now to take part in the Terry Fox Run, a non-competitive event that celebrates the memory of one of Canada’s most revered athletes and raises money for cancer research in the UAE. The event is open to all ages and abilities as well as modes of participation, including walkers, runners, in-line skaters and wheelchair users. There is no registration fee; donations are welcome.

January 19, 7am for registration; 9am start, East Plaza, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi, www.terryfox.org/international-runs/abudhabi

Abu Dhabi

Family fun

Book tickets to see The Smurfs Live on Stage – Smurfs Save Spring. The characters – including Papa Smurf, Brainy Smurf and Smurfette – are busy preparing for the annual Spring Parade when Gargamel comes up with a plan to trick Mother Nature and bring an end to the fun. The Smurfs must use the power of team spirit to return joy to their world. Plus, get access to Yas Waterworld with every gold, platinum and royal ticket purchase.

Thursday and Friday, 7pm on Thursday; 3pm and 7pm on Friday, from Dh195, du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.tixbox.com

Abu Dhabi

Exhibition

Folklore Gallery presents Calligraphy by Maher Khrais and Jacqueline Craig. The permanent exhibition features Khrais's contemporary paintings inspired by the colours and patterns of Bedouin tribes and Craig's Arabic-style collage mixed media works inspired by the Hand of Fatima.

Daily, 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm (closed on Fridays), Folklore Gallery, Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, www.folkloregallery.net

Dubai

Exhibition

Gulf Photo Plus presents The Memory of Hope, an exhibition of works by Ethiopian photographer Aida Muluneh that uses vibrant colours and traditional Ethopian patterns passed down within distinct Ethiopian communities. The artist transforms the women in her compositions to create characters with painted faces to draw attention to the personas we adopt in order to hide our true intentions. Through the exhibition, Muluneh aims to emphasise the decadence that is rooted in those who profit from the disadvantaged, which maintains our differences and is motivated by ego. The exhibition aims to amplify that which we refuse to hear and show what we refuse to see. Pictured: The Amusement at the Gate

Daily until December 9, 10am-7pm, Sundays to Thursdays; 10am-6pm Saturdays (closed Fridays), Gulf Photo Plus, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 380 8545, www.gulfphotoplus.com

The Memory of Hope by Aida Muluneh features works including The Amusement at the Gate (a detail, pictured). Gulf Photo Plus
The Memory of Hope by Aida Muluneh features works including The Amusement at the Gate (a detail, pictured). Gulf Photo Plus

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Al Ain

Cultural event

Register to take part in the Travel Through Our Traditions Tour presented by Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Al Ain National Museum. Spend time with Emirati families in their homes and at their farms and get insight to the traditions and customs of Emirati life, especially during the autumn months, which are integral to the dates farming process. The tour will begin at Al Ain National Museum and will continue to Al Ain Oasis, ending at a traditional Emirati household.

December 9, from 9am, Al Ain National Museum, Al Ain, register at aanm@tcaabudhabi.ae

Abu Dhabi

Performance

See a performance of The Fever presented by the theatre company 600 Highwaymen. The interactive live art event explores human interaction and is in response to the current political and social climate in the United States, asking the questions, how do we take care of other people's bodies and are we willing to stand up for each other.

Today and Tuesday, 7pm, from Dh100, The Red Theater, The Arts Center, NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, tickets are sold out, but you can sign up for updates at www.nyuad-artscenter.org

Dubai

Dance

The Ripple Effect dance company presents Yuva – The Spirit of the Night, which captures the spirit of youth in a showcase of global dance styles performed to Indian-influenced music. The dancers tell stories of joy, sadness and celebration.

December 8, 6.30pm and 8.30pm, from Dh100, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 04 341 4777, www.ductac.org

Dubai

Fitness fun

Flip Out Dubai celebrates the festive season with the Winterfest Flip the Lights event, which sees the trampoline park transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a festive playlist, club lights and snow. The 200 interconnected trampolines are where participants can enjoy a snowball fight, fancy dress and competitions.

December 7, 14 and 21, from 4pm to 10pm, Dh80 per person per hour, Flip Out, Warehouse 5, Al Quoz 3, near 4x4 Motors and Natuzzi showroom, Dubai, 600 567 568, wwww.flipout.ae

Flip Out Bristol.
trampoline park
Book your spot at Flip Out Dubai for the Winterfest Flip the Lights event. Flip Out Dubai

Dubai

Concert

Renowned Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel will perform a recital, showcasing his range and power. The award-winning singer, who has performed internationally, including in Abu Dhabi in 2013, comes to Dubai Opera for one night.

December 3, 8pm, from Dh200, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com